Eric Grollman

Eric Anthony Grollman

Sociology

“Traditional and Modern Homophobia at UMBC”

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Fred L. Pincus, Department of Sociology

Throughout the past century, the world has witnessed the increasing visibility of individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ), as well as the emergence of LGBTQ social and political movements. Along with sexism and racism, as well as all other forms of prejudice and discrimination, homophobia – defined as intense fear or hatred of LGBTQ individuals – has, and continues to, plague our world and the lives of LGBTQ people. Within the last few decades, scholars and lay people have declared that homophobia is declining, especially in institutions of higher education. However, much like modern racism and modern sexism, some scholars are saying that it is traditional homophobia that is on the decline, whereas modern homophobia is now on the rise. This study serves to record and analyze the levels of traditional and modern homophobia within the undergraduate student population of UMBC, as well as to explore any relationships that may exist between homophobia and individual attributes, such as gender, race/ethnicity, class, class standing, major, religion, and political affiliation.